Campaign to gain parents' views on SEND reforms

The government is launching a public engagement campaign to get the views of families to create a reformed SEND system that will stand the test of time.

Minister for School Standards, Georgia Gould is hosting nine face-to-face events, run in partnership with the Council for Disabled Children, and five online events covering the department’s five principles of reform. 

This will provide tens of thousands spaces for parents, families and the sector to share their views – opening up a direct line to the people who know the system best.

The themes of engagement include early intervention, including earlier in children’s lives when this can have most impact.

Views on local provision will be sought, so young people can learn at a school close to their home, alongside their peers, as well as the vital role of special provision for complex needs.
    
Fairness will be considered, so every school has the resources and capability to meet changing needs – stopping parents fighting for support and ensuring clear legal safeguards for children and parents.
    
The campaign will also look at what effective practice looks like and how it should be grounded in evidence to ensure excellent long-term outcomes, as well as shared working so that education, health and care services work in partnership with local government, families, teachers, experts and representative bodies.

Attendees can share their views on a range of proposals from experts - such as children having written records of support, giving families access to independent advocacy and providing a national framework for support available to children with SEN across all settings.

Minister for School Standards Georgia Gould said: "For too long families have felt unheard and left to battle a system that simply doesn’t deliver for their children.  

"We’re committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity for children with SEND, which is why we’re putting lived experience at the heart of our reforms and creating a direct line to parents across the nation.

"We want this to be the biggest national conversation on SEND in a generation, and I urge parents, teachers and all those with views to participate and help us deliver lasting reform."

Minister Gould will kick off the roadshow today in Bristol. This builds on extensive engagement which has already taken place, including over 100 listening sessions with families. Following the publication of the Schools White Paper early next year, a formal consultation will follow to continue the conversation on reform.